WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ABOUT MITT ROMNEY’S ATTACK AD IN NEW HAMPSHIRE

“Mitt Romney … is now running the most negative campaign of any presidential candidate in either party.” — The Washington Post’s Howard Kurtz

With “Misleading” New Attack Ad, Romney “Is Now Running The Most Negative Campaign Of Any Presidential Candidate In Either Party”

The Washington Post’s Howard Kurtz: “Romney … Is Now Running The Most Negative Campaign Of Any Presidential Candidate In Either Party.” “Mitt Romney, who targeted Mike Huckabee in an earlier commercial, is now running the most negative campaign of any presidential candidate in either party.” (Howard Kurtz, “Romney Rips McCain On Senate Record,” The Washington Post’s Trail Blog, 12/28/07)

·         Kurtz: Romney Attacks Are “Misleading.” “Romney’s description of McCain’s failed immigration bill — which was backed by President Bush — is so selective as to be misleading. The measure would have allowed illegal immigrants to seek legal status only if they first returned to their country of origin and paid a fine, and it was coupled with stricter border enforcement — key elements omitted by the ad. Romney called a similar bipartisan effort reasonable’ in 2006.” (Howard Kurtz, “Romney Rips McCain On Senate Record,” The Washington Post’s Trail Blog, 12/28/07)

The New York Times’ Marc Santora: Romney Ad “Misleading.” “Mr. Romney assails Mr. McCain on both tax policies and immigration. On both topics, the commercial presents facts that could be construed either as selective or worse, misleading.” (Marc Santora, “New Ads: Romney Attacks McCain; McCain Touts Support,” The New York Times’ Caucus Blog, 12/28/07)

Chicago Tribune’s Jill Zuckman: “Ironically, Romney Himself Once Supported McCain’s Legislation That Would Provide A Path To Citizenship For Illegal Immigrants.” “Ironically, Romney himself once supported McCain’s legislation that would provide a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants. And he has endured embarrassing news stories this year about the landscaping company that takes care of his lawn used illegal immigrants to do the work.” (Jill Zuckman, “Romney Takes On McCain In New 30-Second Ad,” Chicago Tribune, 12/28/07)

The Washington Post’s Howard Kurtz: “It Is Not True That McCain Backed Social Security For Illegals.” “It is not true that McCain backed Social Security for illegals; a Senate amendment would have allowed payment of past benefits only after immigrants obtained legal status.” (Howard Kurtz, “Romney Rips McCain On Senate Record,” The Washington Post’s Trail Blog, 12/28/07)

“No Better Sign” of McCain’s “Growing Strength In New Hampshire” Than “Desperate” Romney Going Negative In Granite State

The Wall Street Journal’s Susan Davis: “There May Be No Better Sign Of” McCain’s “Growing Strength In New Hampshire” Than Romney Attack Ad. “There may be no better sign of Sen. John McCain’s growing strength in New Hampshire than Mitt Romney’s decision to go negative today on him in a statewide television ad.” (Susan Davis, “Romney Goes Negative In New Hampshire,” The Wall Street Journal’s Washington Wire Blog, 12/28/07)

The Washington Post’s Howard Kurtz: Attack Ad “Comes As Romney’s Poll Numbers Are Declining In” New Hampshire And Iowa. “This New Hampshire ad, like the anti-Huckabee spot in Iowa, comes as Romney’s poll numbers are declining in both states. Romney tries to cushion the blow in both ads by saying a few nice words about his opponents before assailing their records.” (Howard Kurtz, “Romney Rips McCain On Senate Record,” The Washington Post’s Trail Blog, 12/28/07)

Eye On ‘08 Blog: “Desperate Romney Flip-Flops And Goes Negative In NH” (Eye On 08 Blog, www.eyeon08.com, 12/28/07)

·         Eye On ‘08 Blog: “Romney’s Problem Is That He Is Out Of Credibility.” “Let’s be clear. Wednesday (afternoon?) Romney told the Trib reporter that they are going positive. By Friday morning, they were going negative … Of course, Romney’s problem is that he is out of credibility. As the Union-Leader pointed out, ‘the more Mitt Romney speaks, the less believable he becomes.’” (Eye On 08 Blog, www.eyeon08.com, 12/28/07)

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UNITED STATES SENATOR JIM DeMINT

For Immediate Release                                                                                                      

December 6, 2007     

Contact: Luke Byars
803-528-5902

Statement from US Senator Jim DeMint –

“Today, Governor Romney demonstrated an understanding of America’s religious heritage and a vision for America’s future that make him the best candidate for President of the United States.

No President should promote a particular religion, but every President must understand the importance of faith in America and protect our freedom to worship the Creator as we choose.  Governor Romney has shown that he clearly understands that faith is foundational to freedom.  As the Governor so eloquently said, “Freedom and religion endure together, or perish alone.”

Governor Romney’s speech was presidential in both substance and delivery, and I believe it will be remembered as the key speech of this election.”

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Boston, MA – Today, Governor Mitt Romney announced that 51 women will be joining Romney for President as members of the South Carolina chapter of Women for Mitt.  This group will provide valuable help in organizing grassroots support and communicating Governor Romney’s positions and ideas to women in the Palmetto State. 

Ann Romney will be launching the South Carolina chapter of Women for Mitt with a two-day bus tour across the state. “This is an amazing group of women who have come together to support our campaign.  I look forward to traveling through South Carolina, meeting new people and talking about my husband and our family.”  Beginning today, Mrs. Romney will be making stops in Greenville, Columbia, Charleston, Bluffton and Hilton Head Island.

“Our Women for Mitt team in South Carolina is a showcase of diverse, strong and experienced community leaders.  They will be powerful surrogates for our message of conservative change in Washington through strengthening our military, economy and families,” said Governor Romney.

Leading Governor Romney’s South Carolina Women for Mitt Team are four Co-Chairs:  Republican National Committeewoman Cindy Costa, Debbie DeMint, Former South Carolina First Lady Ann Edwards and State Representative Nikki Haley.

In a joint statement, the Co-Chairwomen said, “We believe Governor Romney is the strongest candidate to be President of the United States.  With his message of strength and optimism, he is the candidate America needs at this critical time.  The South Carolina Women for Mitt are excited to work alongside Governor Romney as he pursues our nation’s highest office.”

Romney For President South Carolina Women For Mitt Team Co-Chairs:

• Cindy Costa, Republican National Committeewoman
• Debbie DeMint
• Ann Edwards, Former South Carolina First Lady
• Nikki Haley, State Representative

Romney For President South Carolina Women For Mitt Team Steering Committee:

Aiken County:

• June Cannon
• Betty Ryberg

Anderson County:

• Jane Jones

Charleston County:

• Liz Charles
• Cindy Costa
• Ann Edwards

 Cherokee County:

• Libby Swad

Dorchester County:

• Elizabeth Miller

Florence County:

• Mary Tepper

Greenville County:

• Pam Albert
• Ellen Andrews
• Marjorie Barnes
• Dee Benedict
• Debbie DeMint
• Beverly Griffin
• Susan Hoag
• Sharon Kingman
• Kim Matlock
• Frances Morris
• Jeanne Morris
• Shannon Morris

Horry County:

• Rhonda Ammons
• Heather Asvestas
• Miriam Bassett
• Cooper Chapman
• Susan Chapman
• Gerry Clemmons
• LaVerne Creel
• Jodie Gee
• Betty Hill
• Harriet Stogner

Kershaw County:

• Becky Jenkinson

Lancaster County:

• Sara Fleming

Lexington County:

• Nikki Haley
• Ashley Manini
• Irby Schultz
• Verona Shealy
• Shirley Smith

Newberry County:

• Margaret Brackett
• Betty Dominick

Orangeburg County:

• Barbara Strickland

Pickens County:

• Elisa Strange

Richland County:

• Karen Ballentine
• Wanda Forbes
• Denise Jones
• Cassandra Portee
• Grace Rentiers

Spartanburg County:

• June Bond
• Marlene Saad

York County:

• Kathy Bigham
• Pat Ramsey

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Official Results of the Lexington County Convention Presidential Straw Poll

Romney 67

McCain 29

Giuliani 26

Hunter 16

Brownback 9

Thompson 9

Huckabee 7

Source: SCHotline.com

“The Romney Campaign Is Off And Running”:

The Associated Press‘ Liz Sidoti: “Opening the tour, Romney gave a speech to hundreds of supporters at the sprawling Henry Ford Museum outside of Detroit, the automotive capital and a site chosen for its emphasis on ingenuity that changed the nation.” (Liz Sidoti, “Romney Formally Announces Presidential Candidacy,” The Associated Press, 2/13/07)

·        Detroit Free Press‘ Zachary Gorchow:  “The hundreds of Michigan Republicans who enthusiastically welcomed the former Massachusetts governor as he announced his candidacy at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn were more than ready to adopt him as their favorite son.”  (Zachary Gorchow, “Romney Counts On Michigan Roots To Propel Him To The White House,” Detroit Free Press, 2/14/07)

·        The Boston Globe’s Scott Helman:  “The event, which Romney’s campaign said drew 800 people, was rich in symbolism and nostalgia for Romney, who grew up in the nearby suburb of Bloomfield Hills and whose father, George, was an auto executive and three-term Michigan governor.”  (Scott Helman, “Invoking American Dream, Romney Begins Run,” The Boston Globe, 2/14/07)

CNN’s Candy Crowley: CNN’S WOLF BLITZER: “Candy, how did it go this morning?” CROWLEY: “It went very well.” (CNN’s “The Situation Room,” 2/13/07)

National Journal’s Charlie Cook: “I put it all in a package, that you look at Mitt Romney and you see a guy that is incredibly bright, very, very impressive.” (NBC’s “Nightly News,” 2/13/07)

NBC’s Campbell Brown:  “Whatever his challenges, the frontrunners are watching his every move. Senator John McCain is expected to accelerate his plans to keep up with the early campaigning. And former Mayor Rudy Giuliani said this week he is definitely running. He is just working out the details for when he plans to make it official.”  (NBC’s “Nightly News,” 2/13/07)

MSNBC’s Kevin Corke: “It was a very impassioned speech here as he was flanked by his wife Ann of 37 years, also a Michigander.  And again, the Romney campaign is off and running, playing it well here in Middle America if you will, Norah.” (MSNBC’s “Decision 2008,” 2/13/07)

Governor Romney “An Outsider Capable Of Transforming The Government”:

Fox News’ Carl Cameron:  “And Mr. Romney chose here, Dearborn, Michigan, the Henry Ford Museum to American Industry and Innovation to underscore his belief that he can offer some creative, sort of outside the box changes for the country.”  (Fox News’ “Fox News Live,” 2/13/07)

The New York Times‘ Adam Nagourney: “In his speech today, Mr. Romney alluded to his successes in business and in running the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City, saying that Washington needed the kind of innovation and transformation that could come from private enterprise.” (Adam Nagourney, “Romney Declares ’08 Candidacy In Michigan,” The New York Times, 2/13/07)

Politico’s Jonathan Martin:  “Seeking to capture the can-do spirit of the heartland that he was raised in, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney came to his native Michigan Tuesday to make official his bid for the presidency in a speech that touched broadly on themes of American ingenuity…”  (Jonathan Martin, “Romney Uses Broad Strokes In Officially Declaring For President,” Politico, 2/13/07)

Bloomberg’s Heidi Przybyla: “Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney today became the first of the leading Republican hopefuls to make official his bid for the 2008 presidential nomination, defining himself as an outsider capable of transforming the government.” (Heidi Przybyla, “Former Governor Romney Opens 2008 Presidential Bid,” Bloomberg, 2/13/07)

The Washington Post’s Anne E. Kornblut:  “With a call for ‘innovation and transformation in Washington,’ Mitt Romney formally stepped into the Republican presidential field on Tuesday morning, portraying himself as both a political outsider and an experienced executive who would bring efficiency to the White House.”  (Anne E. Kornblut, “Romney Joins The 2008 Race,” The Washington Post, 2/14/07)

Wall Street Journal’s John Harwood:  “Well, he was trying to showcase innovation and the need for innovation, his ties to Michigan, of course, where his father was a governor for three terms, was also a major auto executive.”  (MSNBC’s “Hardball,” 2/13/07)

Detroit News‘ Gary Heinlein: “Romney’s announcement speech was laced with patriotism and morality. He called for lean government, military strength and more freedom.”  (Gary Heinlein, “Native Son Romney Targets ‘Values Vote,’” Detroit News, 2/14/07)

Deseret Morning News‘ Suzanne Struglinski:  “‘Innovation’ was main message at each stop as he told audiences that America faces some serious challenges and he believes he can think of new ways to solve them.”  (Suzanne Struglinski, “Romney Hits Trail In Iowa, Michigan,” Deseret Morning News, 2/14/07)

Governor Romney Has A Record Of Innovation And Transformation:

ABC’s Kate Snow:  “In front of a new Ford hybrid and a 1963 Rambler once championed by his father, the former Governor of Massachusetts talked about the need for innovation. … [And he] played up his resume, building up companies, saving the Salt Lake City Olympic Games from financial ruin.” (ABC’s “World News Tonight,” 2/13/07)

Power Line Blog: “In his remarks, Romney used the museum and the technological advances it chronicles to speak about his life-long pursuit of innovation and transformation in the public and private sectors. This, I believe, will be the major theme of his campaign. And it’s a valid one. I view Romney as an old-fashioned ‘good government’ Republican, but one who also believes in and will adhere to socially conservative values. He thus represents a synthesis of traditional 1950s Republicanism and the newer kind. … The synthesis I’ve just described seems to reflect not only two strands of Republicanism, but also Romney’s life experiences as a devout religious believer and a modern, cutting edge business consultant.” (”Mitt’s Officially In,” Power Line Blog, http://powerlineblog.com, 2/13/07)

USA Today’s Jill Lawrence:  “Only one Republican presidential candidate has run a business, governed a state and turned an ailing Olympics into a success story.”  (Jill Lawrence, “Romney Kicks Off White House Run,” USA Today, 2/14/07)

CBS’ Gloria Borger: “The political resume is impressive. A former Republican governor of the very Democratic Massachusetts, where he passed a universal health care plan, and the man credited with saving the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics, who is also telegenic.” (CBS’ “Evening News,” 2/13/07)

Politico’s Jim VandeHei:  “[H]e certainly brings experience.  And he has a certain following and cache among conservatives, and I think that business background, at least early on, will help him because it shows that he’s been a problem-solver in the past and he’s had to deal with a lot of complex issues both on the business side and as Governor of Massachusetts.” (CNBC’s “Street Signs,” 2/13/07)

Reuters‘ John Whitesides:  “Romney nurtured an image of competence and can-do leadership in turning around the debt-ridden Salt Lake City Olympics and during his term in Massachusetts, one of the most liberal states, where he balanced the state budget and signed a state universal health insurance law.”  (John Whitesides, “Republican Romney Calls For U.S. Innovation,” Reuters, 2/13/07)

Des Moines Register’s Lisa Rossi:  “At the Des Moines event, Romney touted his experience in the business world, pointing to his tenure as president of the Salt Lake Organizing Committee for the 2002 Winter Olympics, where he said he turned it ‘from scandal and a closed mentality to an open experience for all the world.’”  (Lisa Rossi, “Romney Touts Values As He Unveils ‘08 Bid,” Des Moines Register, 2/14/07)

The Salt Lake Tribune’s Thomas Burr:  “Five years ago, Mitt Romney harnessed his business talent to turn a scandal-tarred Olympic Games into a success before the eyes of the world.”  (Thomas Burr, “It’s Official: Romney Is A Candidate,” The Salt Lake Tribune, 2/14/07)

Louisville, KY – Tonight, Governor Mitt Romney will keynote the Kentucky GOP Lincoln Day Dinner.  Governor Romney will make remarks on the right strategy to deal with the threat posed by Iran. 

Excerpt Of Governor Romney’s Remarks As Prepared For Delivery:

“Recently, the question of how we deal with Iran has been the subject of debate between myself and another potential White House candidate. 

“In a speech two days ago in New York City, Senator Hillary Clinton said that she needs to quote ‘understand’ unquote Iran better – and we need to quote ‘engage Iran’ unquote.  She argued that our strategy of engagement with the Soviet Union during the Cold War was a model for how we could deal with Iran. 

“I believe this strategy to be a mistake, and yesterday, to a group of fellow conservatives, I said as much.  Advocating engagement displays a troubling timidity toward a terrible threat.  The right strategy is not engagement, but economic and diplomatic isolation.

“Instead of responding to my policy criticisms, Senator Clinton has chosen to attack me personally.  Let’s take a step back and consider the broader and more pressing issue at hand – Iran, Syria, Hizbullah, and Hamas and the threat they pose to us, Israel, and the civilized world.

“Ten days ago, I was in Israel and heard firsthand from those who have been on the front lines of the war against the Jihadist radicals.  Indeed, just a few months ago, the Israelis were confronted with a war by Hizbullah, a terrorist organization sponsored by Iran and Syria. 

“Against the backdrop of last summer’s war, I was especially stunned to learn that Senator Clinton is now advocating for better ‘understanding’ of Iran, Syria, Hizbullah, and Hamas.  Rather than attacking me, why doesn’t she join me in calling for a policy that puts even more pressure – not less – against these adversaries?”